NORTH CAROLINA 5-22-23

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

MILLENNIAL BUYERS:

Where They Are & What to Know 3 Surefire Methods That Make For a PRODUCTIVE MEETING

FEATURED AGENT

COOPERATION, NOT COMPETITION, CREATES MUTUAL SUCCESS FOR AGENTS 3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You

ALISHA DEBERRY COVER STORY

CRYSTAL RIERSONVILLENEUVE

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

ALISHA DEBERRY

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Alisha DeBerry of Monroe, North Carolina, 9 19 records and awards with a re has built a successful real estate business about “preferring to be busy,” by combining her commitment to comtively effusive when invited to munity involvement with a sincere pasher school. She is a Disting sion for agent and homebuyer education.

Estate Instructor (one of seven “I love being a central figure in helping nation) with the REEA, and s families with one of the biggest financial share what she’s learned with transactions of their lives. Educating them, industry. “My goal is to train guiding them through the process, and just As much as I enjoy educatin being able to see the looks on their faces ers, I want to be the help that when they find a placeCRYSTAL they can really call when I first started in real esta ALISHA DEBERRY home; or even RIERSON-VILLENEUVE helping people get a great return on sure that we channel our success collectiv their investments. I’m grateful that I get to play that role in people’s lives!”

Beyond clients and colleagues, Alisha great lengths to share her knowledge an CONTENTS Despite having more than a decade of experience in with her extended community. She is a the corporate world, Alisha had previously owned and structor for her neighborhood middle sch 4) 3operated SUREFIRE METHODS MILLENNIAL BUYERS: her own business as a certified credit15) consulDay, a regular organizer of homebuyer ed tant,MAKE where she focused relat- THEY inars ARE (which&include THAT FOR A on providing services WHERE WHATlocal credit union ed to consumer credit, prior to her entry intoTO the KNOW real agencies, attorneys, builders, and home PRODUCTIVE MEETING estate industry. “I was a consumer credit specialist,” and she and her husband lead a yearly f she recalls, “and I discovered how many people you look at i 20) and HOWtheir TO neighborhood.

OVERCOME“When YOUR 6) COOPERATION, NOT families weren’t knowledgeable about this WORKPLACE process. my business FEARScomes from my community, COMPETITION, CREATES A friend of mine said I would be a great fit for real to find a way to give back on a consistent MUTUAL SUCCESS FOR 3 WAYS YOURI make sure a po estate, so I went and got licensed in North 22) Carolina everTO my MAKE firm generates, AGENTS and South Carolina!” Since that conversation almost goes straight to YOU the people around m WORKSPACE WORKback FOR six years ago, Alisha has averaged between eighteen and twenty-five annual transactions as a solo agent with Platinum Group Realty boasting a book of busiPhone 310-734-1440 | Faxpercent 310-734-1440 ness that is ninety-five repeat and referral clients. Her testimonials broadcast a steadfast integrity, mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com unparalleled work ethic, and a sincere dedication to No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent education: has been recognized with the AccreditMagazine is publishedshe

by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Agent Representative Magazine cannot beand held At responsible opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. ed Top Buyer Homeforwith Diversity To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. designations, and one of her favorite pastimes outside Published in the U.S. of business hours is “designing real estate course curricula! My family thinks I’m crazy, but I just prefer that to television – it doesn’t feel like work to me.”

Alisha is excited to build upon this educational passion

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To learn more about Alisha De visit platinumgrouprealtyllc.c www.

Laughs!

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3 Surefire Methods that Make for a Productive Meeting Sometimes a business meeting can achieve exactly what it sets out to do: communicate, assess actions, set goals, or otherwise. Other times, meetings can feel like a drain on your time and energy, and only advance your agenda in marginal ways. While meetings are an integral form of communication in the professional world, how can you ensure that they are both productive and worthwhile?

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The truth is, it takes intentioned planning to make a meeting a success. A well-curated meeting makes partners and employees feel unified as a team, excited about what’s to come, and motivated to achieve a collective goal. With that in mind, consider a few approaches below to maximize your next meeting and ensure that all parties involved leave with a renewed sense of direction and inspiration.

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1. Create a detailed agenda in advance Oftentimes meetings are scheduled with a loose goal in mind—to hash out the terms of a contract or to strategize a new marketing campaign, for example. To ensure your meeting is productive, time-efficient, and achieves its end, create a detailed agenda in advance. This means breaking down your overarching goal into pieces and outlining what’s required to complete each component. You might also consider making time blocks for each respective component, so there is a clear structure and hierarchy in place. Not only does this ensure that time is used wisely and evenly, but it also creates order and momentum for the greater task at hand. What’s more, you’ll want to distribute this detailed agenda in advance of your meeting, so that all attendees will be familiar with the format and delineated goals of your gathering. This will set a professional tone, while keeping team members and conversation on task.

2. Reserve off-topics ideas and comments for later Too many meetings are derailed when an off-topic question or comment is made and hijacks the attentions of attendees. While it’s natural that outlying issues may arise when all team members are gathered, you can ward off distractions by creating a so-called holding area for off-topic talking points. This holding area will serve as the receptacle for any off-topic or lower priority addendum, and you can create a chunk of time towards the end of your meeting to readdress those Top Agent Magazine

points separately. Once you’ve achieved the highest priority goals of your meeting, you can then return to the items in your holding area. Note: be sure to familiarize your staff with this approach so that the expectation is already in place and interruptions won’t distract from your meeting’s true intent.

3. Conclude every meeting with a brief summary and action items The very last thing you should do before concluding your meeting is to reemphasize the main takeaways of your gathering and outline a specific list of action items. Again, successful meetings are clear and give attendees a sense of direction. That’s why reiterating action items—or next steps in need of completion—to each respective employee is an essential component of a productive meeting. Likewise, summarizing main takeaways unifies a team’s understanding of what’s important and why the meeting was called in the first place. Ending on a concrete yet proactive note helps launch team members toward the next event in their day and gives them a sense of confidence as they tackle their duties.

Meetings don’t have to be a formality or a bore. When planned and executed with incisiveness, they can inspire your talent roster and streamline productivity in your office.

Especially in the world of real estate, ensuring everyone is on the same page and doing their jobs effectively is key to success and longevity. Put a little planning into your next meeting, and you’ll save yourself valuable time and energy as you move forward.

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Cooperation, Not Competition, Creates

Mutual Success for Agents When people get along during a business transaction, everyone comes out happier. And in a service industry like real estate, agents have the power deliver that happiness. By working cooperatively, sharing advice and helping each other help clients, agents not only enhance their own reputations, but that of real estate in general.

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“Bring everyone together” Matt Kobelski, with Credentials Real Estate Group in Massachusetts, points out that providing good service involves more people than the party you’re representing. “I’m not afraid to bring together all the parties in a deal and say, ‘OK, let’s figure out a solution that works best

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Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem

for everyone,” he explains. “My goal is to avoid being adversarial.” Real estate, he believes, should always be a field in which each person can win. “It’s about working toward a mutual goal, shaking hands, and walking away happy that a seller sold, a buyer bought and everyone got what they wanted.”

But Is it that simple? Most agents have experienced the ways conflicting personalities and tension during a transaction can heat up even the most cordial relations. In reality, however, it’s more productive to let down your guard and work with others as a team than it is to allow stress and competition to preside. South Florida REALTOR® and broker associate, Risë V. Siegrist, for instance, has zero interest in competing with other agents. “It’s more important to be professional and associate with competent, caring people,” she says. By serving others with a cooperative spirit, experienced agents like Risë set an excellent example for emerging real estate stars. Risë hopes to be a model for the next generation of agents, training people who may one day become part of her team.

Risë’s position on cooperation inspires more reasons for nurturing relationships with other agents. Over the decades, many agents change brokerages several times. Who knows if that agent across the table will one day work at the Top Agent Magazine

same brokerage you do? Perhaps you’ll even have an opportunity to partner on an exciting, future transaction. Good relations keep doors open to endless possibilities.

Co-listing cooperation Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem. In fact, some agents cleverly capitalize on their collective attributes, rather than competing against one another. South Carolina REALTOR® Kimberly Pannit is a perfect example of the universal benefits of co-listings. Although she has always been an independent agent, Kimberly works hard to form professional alliances that give her business the feel of a cooperative network across brokerages.

This cooperative approach may be nontraditional, but it benefits clients in unique ways. By working closely with agents at other brokerages, she shows how agents can improve client service while helping one another.

Kimberly’s cooperative approach began in her own neighborhood, where an agent friend from a different brokerage also lives. “Several years ago, I approached her because both of us were friends with our neighbors. I asked, ‘Why don’t we give our neighbors superior service and

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co-list together? We both love our area and are passionate about our jobs, the location and schools.’” She also didn’t want to make their mutual friends choose between them when they could work together. “I said, ‘Let’s give them amazing service together!’” With their brokers’ permission, two weeks later the agents co-listed their first home and put extra energy into ensuring uninterrupted client service.

Networking and “Co-opertition” When the ultimate goal is to match a client with the perfect home or create optimal terms of sale for a listings, networking with other agents can facilitate that ideal buyer-seller match.

Nashville REALTOR® and broker/owner Lisa Land embraced every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the real estate industry and to her local market, even before building her own team. “Agents would frequently ask me for help or advice,” she says, noting that she shares, rather than guarding, the methods she uses to get through difficult or confusing transactions. “I was fortunate to have great mentors when I started in real estate, so I’m always

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willing to offer help, even to agents outside of The Luxe Collective.”

Meanwhile, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Janet Leigh Scott describes the climate between agents as relaxed and professional. “While the real estate market is highly competitive, we’re truly a ‘co-opertition’ market; agents work together and a have greater sense of community than you might experience in off-island brokerages,” Janet says. “If I have buyer coming into town, I’ll reach out to agents I’ve done transactions with to ask if they have anything coming up that might not be on the market yet.”

Even in hot, competitive L.A. real estate, independent agents such as Andrej Nagy of The Agency RE knows the importance of receiving and providing professional mentorship.

“My relationships with clients are extremely important,” he says. “But my relationships with agents on the other side of a deal are also important.” For REALTORS® like him, working smoothly with other agents is a privilege.

Doing so builds rewarding relationships while ensuring win-win transactions for everyone at the closing table.

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CRYSTAL RIERSONVILLENEUVE

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Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Top Agent Crystal Rierson-Villeneuve’s team, Elite Realty Group Powered by Place, serves the central triad area and beyond, extending their expertise to the 11 surrounding counties and more with an expansive referral network both in the US and Globally.

In the midst of the Great Recession, Crystal took a bold leap of faith and embarked on her real estate journey. Since October of 2008, she has not only navigated the tumultuous waters of a crashing market but has gone on to build a formidable team. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Crystal’s team, Elite Realty Group Powered by Place, serves the central triad area and beyond, extending their expertise to the 11 surrounding counties and more with an expansive referral network both in the US and Globally. The team’s diverse experience is its strength, boasting a blend of seasoned and fresh talented agents with varied backgrounds across financial, interior design & building, and education. With five agents, including Crystal, the team’s lineup comprises of a 10-year veteran and newer agents under 5 years, all supported by an in-house sales agent, full-time executive team admin, and a transaction coordinator. With impressive retention rates at 90% for repeat and referral business, Elite Realty Group Powered by Place works diligently and makes it their passion to be their clients’ REALTOR® for life. This loyalty speaks volumes about the team’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, allowing newer 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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agents to flourish under the team’s guiding hand while building their own business.

Crystal’s success as a real estate agent is deeply rooted in her dedication to providing top-notch customer service not quantity of sales. Drawing on her background in financial planning & wealth management, she understands the importance of nurturing long-term relationships when dealing with clients’ financial investments. Her

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focus on fostering connections and effective communication has earned her the trust of her clients and the title of “Realtor® for Life.” As an agent & team who values their clients, Crystal & team consistently go above and beyond. By offering personalized services, maintaining regular contact, and occasionally surprising clients with thoughtful gifts, it cements their position as their go-to real estate expert. This commitment to her team & clients extends to social events

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As an agent & team who values their clients, Crystal & team consistently go above and beyond. Her focus on fostering connections and effective communication has earned her the trust of her clients and the title of “Realtor® for Life.” and one-on-one lunches, during which she often forms lasting friendships. “They naturally look at us as their go-to real estate group forever,” she explains. By prioritizing genuine relationships and consistent communication, she has undoubtedly distinguished herself in a competitive industry.

When it comes to marketing, Elite Realty Group Powered by Place emphasizes the importance of being fully prepared when listing a property. “We do take pride in how we put our seller’s homes on the market for the world to see, ensuring it’s Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

market-ready when it goes active,” she says. This meticulous attention to detail allows the team to present listings in the best possible light, avoiding last-minute fixes or “band-aids” after going live across all the mediums. By leveraging the full range of tools and technology available to her team and herself, Elite Realty Group Powered by Place consistently achieves impressive results. Having just achieved the #2 group for 2023 in her office out of 10 with averaging 30 million in volume, with just under 100 families sold. As they set their sights even higher, they aim to help even more Top Agent Magazine

families in the coming year. Crystal’s commitment to quality and market readiness is a crucial part of her team’s ongoing success.

Community is an integral part of Crystal’s life and work. She serves as the secondary broker in charge at Keller Williams One, is on the Agent Leadership Council for her brokerage, volunteers for her homeowners association and does community service work for local organizations. When she isn’t working,

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Crystal enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring her passion for food & wine. She also values reading, relaxation, and spending quality time with her family, cherishing the beauty around her.

With a clear vision for her future, Crystal intends to transform her real estate venture into a global enterprise, ensuring the continued success of her Greensboro team while exploring new opportunities across the world.

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For more information about Crystal Rierson-Villeneuve, call 336-203-5242 or email contactcrystal@kw.com

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Millennial Buyers: Where They Are & What to Know Homebuyers and sellers come from all walks of life. If you’ve been an agent for long, you’ve likely worked alongside a wide variety of folks—from first-timer homeowners and down-sizers, to second home searchers and those finally hunting for their dream home. While there is hardly a shortage of diversity in the housing market, there Top Agent Magazine

is one generation that is making big strides in homeownership these days: Millennials.

Millennials can be loosely defined as those between the ages of twenty-two to thirtyseven. As you can see, this constitutes a wide swathe of the population. If you’re an agent who stands to learn a bit more about

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a demographic whose influence and homeownership goals are rapidly evolving, tune in below for a few pointers that can help you expand a segment of your clientele in the process.

Where do Millennials prefer to buy?

Many Millennials came of age during or immediately following the Great Recession, and as such, many of them relocated or returned to mid-size cities and smaller communities where the cost of living was most affordable. Of course, there are countless Millennials that call the U.S.’s major cities home—especially those in the

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tech industry. The good news is that you can court Millennial clientele no matter where you service area is located. That said, community amenities are of great importance to this generation. They value public transportation, green space, and entertainment—from coffee shops and topnotch restaurants to farmer’s markets and boutiques. Emphasizing those attributes will be key in selling to Millennials and locating neighborhoods they’re most interested in.

What sort of communication do Millennials prefer?

Most Millennials are digital natives, or close to. That means they grew up learning

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how to navigate digital spaces, and prefer to communicate through mediums like email, text, and social media. This isn’t to say that Millennials aren’t good communicators, but they’re often on the go, and have learned to research and shop online. To accommodate this, it’s best to build a presence across the most popular listing portals and social media platforms. Although, it’s not enough to establish a site and wait for the calls to come in. Responsiveness is a key factor for Millennials, who expect speedy response times. Make sure you’re checking your inbox frequently, responding accordingly, and engaging with your audience online. This will let Millennials know

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that you’re savvy, available, and understand the value of their preferred method of communication.

Are Millennials ready to buy?

It’s a common misconception that Millennials are uninterested in the rite of passage of purchasing a home. While Millennials maybe waiting a bit longer than their parents did to buy a home, there are good reasons to explain this phenomenon. For starters, Millennials entered the job market during the downturn, which means they are more conservative when making big purchases, and have to play catch-up to reach a sound

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financial position. Likewise, student loan debt has proved a major financial inhabitation for Millennials. Instead of socking away a few hundred a month to save for a home, they’re forking over that cash to pay down their educational loans. How does a Realtor compete with this reality? For starters, a bit of understanding goes a long way. Work with your mortgage partners to find financing possibilities that cater to this younger demographic. Recognize that Millennials—like most buyers—have some trepidations when buying a home.

Also consider fielding Millennial clientele with the long view in mind. You might be 18

courting them for months or more until they’re ready to take the plunge, but they’re also famous for their reviews. When a job is done well, Millennials shout it from the rooftops—or at least share it a dozen time from their phone.

As time passes, Millennials will continue to dominate the marketplace when it comes to buying and selling homes. A little self-education on this powerful demographic can go a long way. If you know your clients and your audience, you’ll be in a far better position to serve their interests and make a customer for life.

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ALISHA DEBERRY Alisha DeBerry of Monroe, North Carolina, has built a successful real estate business by combining her commitment to community involvement with a sincere passion for agent and homebuyer education.

“I love being a central figure in helping families with one of the biggest financial transactions of their lives. Educating them, guiding them through the process, and just being able to see the looks on their faces when they find a place they can really call home; or even helping people get a great return on their investments. I’m grateful that I get to play that role in people’s lives!”

Despite having more than a decade of experience in the corporate world, Alisha had previously owned and operated her own business as a certified credit consultant, where she focused on providing services related to consumer credit, prior to her entry into the real estate industry. “I was a consumer credit specialist,” she recalls, “and I discovered how many people and families weren’t knowledgeable about this process.

A friend of mine said I would be a great fit for real estate, so I went and got licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina!” Since that conversation almost six years ago, Alisha has averaged between eighteen and twenty-five annual transactions as a solo agent with Platinum Group Realty boasting a book of business that is ninety-five percent repeat and referral clients. Her testimonials broadcast a steadfast integrity, unparalleled work ethic, and a sincere dedication to education: she has been recognized with the Accredited Buyer Representative and At Home with Diversity designations, and one of her favorite pastimes outside of business hours is “designing real estate course curricula! My family thinks I’m crazy, but I just prefer that to television – it doesn’t feel like work to me.”

Alisha is excited to build upon this educational passion by growing the twin strands of her dual businesses: Platinum Group Realty and Platinum Institute of Real Estate. She casually deflects questions about her sales Top Agent Magazine

records and awards with a ready response about “preferring to be busy,” but is positively effusive when invited to speak about her school. She is a Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (one of seventy-two in the nation) with the REEA, and she’s eager to share what she’s learned with the rest of the industry. “My goal is to train great agents.

As much as I enjoy educating homebuyers, I want to be the help that I didn’t have when I first started in real estate, and make sure that we channel our success collectively.”

Beyond clients and colleagues, Alisha also goes to great lengths to share her knowledge and prosperity with her extended community. She is a biannual instructor for her neighborhood middle school’s Career Day, a regular organizer of homebuyer education seminars (which include local credit unions, insurance agencies, attorneys, builders, and home inspectors), and she and her husband lead a yearly food drive in their neighborhood. “When you look at it, the bulk of my business comes from my community, so you want to find a way to give back on a consistent basis. Whatever my firm generates, I make sure a portion of that goes straight back to the people around me.”

To learn more about Alisha DeBerry, visit platinumgrouprealtyllc.com, email alisha@platainumgrouprealtyllc.com, or call 704.606.7051 www.

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How To Overcome Your Workplace Fears Fear is something that can help protect us from danger, but it is also something that can be a hindrance to us in our lives, especially when it keeps us from potentially thriving and growing as a person. This is especially true in the workplace. Here’ a look at some proven ways to overcome common workplace fears.

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ASSESS THE FEELINGS BEHIND THE FEAR

Really owning the emotions that are putting you in a place of fear, is the first step. By just naming it and then talking it out in your head, what exactly you’re feeling and why, it can help deflate the fear. Think of it as releasing some of the fear into the ether. Yes, you’ll still be nervous about your presentation, but a lot of what was holding you back is gone. You’ll feel lighter, and hopefully have just enough butterflies to make your soar.

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TALK ABOUT YOUR FEARS WITH A TRUSTED CO-WORKER

Nothing can make you feel more isolated than going down the path of “This is something that only happens to me.” Trust me, it doesn’t, and you might be surprised to find out that some people have had it even worse. Talking to someone you trust and admire, hearing their own fear horror stories and how they overcame them, will help normalize what you’re feeling. Releasing yourself from the idea that it’s something about you, will be an enormous relief.

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THINK OF THE WORST CASE SCENARIO

Although it might seem counter-productive, truly assessing what the worse outcome of the situation you’re afraid of serves two purposes. It might lead you to realize the worst case scenario isn’t that bad 20

after all. Of course it could also lead you to a really uncomfortable thought, you could lose your job. As bad as that is, it also gives you an opportunity to start focusing on what really matters, and how you might grow from the experience and possibly end up better off. Countless people in their dream jobs now, were once fired and thought it was the end of the world.

Hopefully, that won’t happen to you, but learning to have confidence in your abilities to always find a way, will be a great tool in overcoming fears.

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COMPARTMENTALIZE

If you’re a super-organized type, you might try actually setting aside time in your day to focus on your fears. It might seem odd, but it will let you NOT focus on your fears during the other hours of your day. Think of it as a task, you aren’t just sitting there worrying, you’re taking in your fears and figuring out ways to overcome them.

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START THINKING OF YOUR FEARS AS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Start thinking of fears as challenges. As scary as it might seem to face them, for the most part they are things that can be fixed. A lot of fear is based on inexperience which leads to a lack of confidence.

A common fear is workplace evaluations. Instead of looking at it as hearing everything that is wrong about you, think of it as an opportunity to see where you can improve. Going into it with a positive attitude rather than a defensive posture, will make the whole thing better for both parties.

Overcoming fears is oftentimes about a simple attitude adjustment. Like anything it takes practice, but the results of that practice will lead to a life that you’re able to thrive in both personally and professionally.

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3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You Productivity experts agree that a curated workspace positively impacts productivity and mood, but oftentimes we settle for bland desks and cubicles that lack personalized details or considerations for workflow. Why miss out on the opportunity to optimize your surroundings when it could brighten your day—and boost your performance? Keep in mind some of these tactics to make your workspace your own and reap the benefits along the way.

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DETERMINE YOUR WORKING STYLE AND DECORATE ACCORDINGLY For the creative set, a colorful and art-filled workspace can inspire fresh ideas and reduce stress. Likewise, casual yet aesthetically pleasing furniture, accessories, and décor set an inviting yet functional mood. A pop of color from an office tool—even something as basic as a stapler—can inject a sense of fun and modernism into your daily tasks. For the more analytical, right-brained worker, clean

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lines and zero clutter go a long way. A few well-chosen personal photos in tasteful, unassuming frames can provide a motivating connection to the world beyond the office, while accessories and supplies that are sleek, monochrome, and contemporary inspire a sense of calm efficiency.

BUILD A WORKSPACE WITH YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IN MIND If you find yourself spending hours on the phone per day, or assembling stacks of documents and brochures, or even coming and going from the office with frequency—there are simple adjustments you can make to your workspace that will save you time and energy. If you sit for long hours—responding to e-mails or making calls—try incorporating an ergonomic chair or keyboard wrist-pad to maximize comfort. If you spend a long time assembling presentation materials, then file organizers, trays, and easy-to-pull labels can shave valuable time off your efforts. Lastly, those who step out for frequent meetings can reduce the hassle of being on-the-go by making your space mindfully organized—a coatrack and a dish for your keys by the door, an auto-brew coffeemaker, or an easily edited whiteboard calendar can make jet-setting simpler.

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ADD EASY DETAILS THAT ENRICH YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE While organization and décor can rally productivity and mood, there are also a few extra details you can introduce to your workspace to improve the quality of your working life.

Healthy, easy to grab-and-go snacks—think nuts, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit— can keep your energy up without the sugar crush or guilt. If there’s a window nearby, a hard-to-kill plant like a philodendron or a fern not only cleanse the air around you, but also provide a welcome connection to the natural world. Being prepared in a pinch is another great way to make your workspace work for you: a spare tie, a tube of lip balm, hand sanitizer, or a box of Band-Aids can save you a trip to the store when an unexpected need arises.

While we take great pains to make our homes our sanctuaries—complete with the decorations, furniture, and food we favor—we often overlook our work areas, even though we spend a sizable portion of our week sitting at the same desk. Challenge yourself to add a few of these personalizing, productivity-boosting details to your work area and bring the comfort of home to your working life.

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